The question of the century... For an easy answer, technology is not a magic wand. Just because kids/students have digital devices, does not mean they will automatically think critically, create new meaning, and apply what they learn in multiple contexts. Technology must have a purpose for its use, even if students are playing games with their devices. Especially in classrooms, there should be an objective for why and how students are using digital technology to learn. Is the purpose collaboration? Is the purpose innovation? Is the purpose substitution for paper? Is the purpose a proliferation of digital devices in schools? Is the purpose communication? Is the purpose application? Is the purpose all of the above?

Schools and districts worldwide are purchasing digital devices like hotcakes. The number of schools that are "one-to-one", which means every student is issued a digital device, has doubled in the past year. Parents are also purchasing digital devices for their kids, so students are saturated with technology. While this is not a bad thing, we just need to ensure that the technology is being used for a variety of purposes. Our students need to understand that there is more to technology than playing games and checking social media. Schools play a big role in defining and facilitating the use of technology for multiple purposes. Dr. Ruben Puentedura, creator of the SAMR model, provides a practical rubric for the enhancement and transformation of digital technology usage. I have included examples for each of the four categories within the SAMR model.